Free Online Classes For MoCo Seniors: Sept. 14-18

GERMANTOWN, MD — Montgomery County seniors can take free online classes to learn how to better navigate life at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Senior Planet Montgomery, the county's technology training program for residents 60 and older, typically offers lectures, hands-on workshops, and multi-week courses at libraries and senior centers. But during this public health crisis, Senior Planet Montgomery is moving all its programming online.

Many of the online sessions will focus on online user-friendly tools and resources for seniors.

"More Montgomery County seniors are online than ever before," said Montgomery County Chief Information Officer Gail M. Roper. "The Senior Planet Montgomery programs provide a means for them to get more out of their internet availability, and we hope, more out of life overall. We have programs that are geared specifically to support the way seniors learn best — which makes so many things easier to understand."

Classes change on a weekly basis. From Sept. 14-18, participants will learn how to initiate a Zoom video conferencing call, navigate crowdfunding platforms, and save money on energy resources.

Courses are also offered in Spanish.

Take a look:

Tech and Energy

• When: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m.- noon.
• Description: Learn about the top energy users in the home and how to spend less money on energy. Learn how internet-connected smart plugs, power-strips and ENERGY STAR appliances use less energy.

Pinterest

• When: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Description: Get an introduction to the platform and learn how it can be used to pin healthy recipes and more.

Fall into $aving$

• When: Thursday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m.- noon.
• Description: Join the Department of Environmental Protection's Residential Energy Program Manager for a rousing game of "Fall into $aving$." This fun, interactive online game will cover tips and tricks to help participants keep money in their pocket. All participants will also receive a Home Comfort Kit, which will be mailed to their homes.

How to Use Zoom

• When: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Description: Join this program for orientation on using Zoom videoconferencing software. Learn the features available to video chat with friends and family, and to take virtual classes with Senior Planet. Program is designed for beginner Zoom users.

IoT and Entertainment

• When: Thursday, Sept. 17, 4–5 p.m.
• Description: Lecture will explore various interactions with IoT on a day-to-day basis and look at how it is revolutionizing entire industries.

Crowdfunding

• When: Friday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m.- noon.
• Description: Presentation will explore crowdfunding — fundraising by gathering small amounts of money from large numbers of people — online. Learn the fundamentals of using a crowdfunding campaign to raise money as well as how to search for and contribute to other people's campaigns.

Las clases a ofrecerse durante Septiembre 14-16 son las siguientes:

Aplicaciones DE "Viajes Compartidos" (Ride Sharing Apps)

• Cuando: Lunes, 14 de Septiembre. 11 a.m.- noon.
• Descripción: ¡Las aplicaciones han cambiado cómo movilizamos! En esta presentación, exploraremos las aplicaciones de viajes compartidos ("ride-sharing"), también conocidos como aplicaciones de "e-hailing." Aprenderá sobre las dos aplicaciones más populares - Uber y Lyft - y las ventajas y desventajas de las dos.

Tech Talk: Cómo administrar tu correo electrónico

• Cuando: Miércoles, 16 de Septiembre. 11 a.m.- noon.
• Descripción: ¡Administrar una cuenta de correo electrónico puede parecer una tarea sin fin! Ya sea saber qué hacer cuando recibe spam o correos electrónicos fraudulentos o simplemente examinar correos electrónicos promocionales, mantenerse al día puede ser abrumador. Únase a esta charla técnica para conocer las mejores prácticas para administrar sus correos electrónicos.

Click here to learn more about Senior Planet Montgomery and its virtual program offerings. You can also call and email the group at 240-753-0676 and mocoinfo@seniorplanet.org.